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V Grau

Publications and source records attributed to V Grau.

30 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Activation of microglial and endothelial cells in the rat brain after treatment with interferon-gamma in vivo.

Activation of microglial cells occurs during the pathogenesis of various neurologic diseases. However, the mechanisms of activation in vivo are still elusive. We infused adult rats intravenously with interferon-gamma and demonstrated microglial cell activation after three days of treatment. We show for the first time that microglial cells proliferate inside the brain in response to a circulating cytokine. Microglial cells were induced to express major histocompatibility (MHC) class I and class II antigens and small amounts of leukocyte function-associated molecule 1 (LFA-1, CD11a). On endothelial cells of the brain, MHC class I and class II antigens and intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1, CD54) were enhanced.

Animals↗

Rat monocytes up-regulate NKR-P1A and down-modulate CD4 and CD43 during activation in vivo: monocyte subpopulations in normal and IFN-gamma-treated rats.

LEW rats were treated intravenously with recombinant rat interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) for 3 days to achieve intravascular accumulation, proliferation, and activation of monocytes. Monocytes, defined by their expression of the ED1, ED9, and Ox41 antigens, were recovered from the vasculature by perfusion with PBS/EDTA, subsequently depleted of erythrocytes and granulocytes by Percoll density gradient centrifugation, and analyzed by flow cytometry and immunocytology. In untreated and control-infused specified pathogen-free (SPF) rats, lymphocytes and monocytes formed overlapping cell populations with respect to size and internal granularity. At least two intravascular monocyte subsets, probably central and marginating cells, were distinguished by their size and differential expression of CD43, CD4, CD11a, CD18, and L-selectin. It is interesting to note that a fraction of the monocytes in normal and control-infused animals carried the NKR-P1A molecule. IFN-gamma treatment provoked a duplication of monocyte size and granularity. Both the number of positive monocytes and the level of expression of NKR-P1A strongly increased after IFN-gamma infusion, whereas CD43 (leukosialin) and CD4 were impressively down-regulated. NKR-P1A+ L-selectin+ CD43low CD4- monocytes also occur in the vasculature of rats during immune reactions in vivo. We speculate that these cells are involved in organ damage and that their number is controlled by activation-induced cell death within the vessels.

Animals↗

A preserved native kidney alters acute renal allograft rejection in the rat.

In this study the effect of a native recipient kidney on acute rat renal allograft rejection is analysed. The authors performed a sequential daily analysis of allograft morphology and infiltration by macrophages and T cells in the presence and the absence of a recipient kidney. Several differences among both experimental groups were observed. Infiltrating macrophages and T cells in the allograft interstitium were more numerous in the presence than in the absence of a recipient kidney. The ratio of macrophages to T cells was 2:1 in the presence and 1:1 in the absence of a recipient kidney. Interstitial allograft infiltration started 1 day earlier in the presence of a contralateral kidney than in its absence. Graft necrosis occurred on day 6 and was complete in the presence of a native kidney. After total nephrectomy a patchy pattern of necrotic and viable tubules was observed from day 5 until the death of the animal. The diameter of monocytes in graft vessels increased only moderately in the presence of a recipient kidney but duplicated in its absence. The authors propose that in experimental renal transplantation contralateral nephrectomy should be performed according to a standardized schedule.

Acute Disease↗

Metabolism of ecdysone and 20-hydroxyecdysone in adult Drosophila melanogaster.

The metabolism of [3H]ecdysone injected into adult female and male Drosophila melanogaster was investigated. The metabolites present in flies and faeces were analysed separately after incubation times of 1, 2 or 4 h. In female flies ecdysone-22-fatty acid acyl esters were the major metabolites followed by 3-dehydroecdysone, 26-hydroxyecdysone, ecdysonoic acid, 20-hydroxyecdysone and a negatively charged conjugate of ecdysone. In male flies the same compounds were formed, but their relative concentrations were somewhat different from those in female flies. All metabolites formed can be excreted. [3H]20-hydroxyecdysone was metabolized in much the same way: 20-hydroxyecdysone-22-acyl esters, 3-dehydro-20-hydroxyecdysone, 20-hydroxy-ecdysonoic acid and a negatively charged conjugate of 20-hydroxyecdysone were formed. However, 20,26-dihydroxyecdysone could not be detected after injection of [3H]20-hydroxyecdysone.

Animals↗

Glycogen stores in mature ovarian follicles and young embryos of Drosophila: ultrastructural changes and some biochemical correlates.

During the last phase of oogenesis in Drosophila, large amounts of carbohydrates are taken up by the oocyte and become stored in the so-called beta-spheres whose ultrastructure and histochemical properties indicate that glycogen is the predominant storage form. The ultrastructure of the beta-spheres changes at the onset of embryogenesis: they become irregular in shape and the spacing of the granular substructures (beta-particles) increases. During the first 2 h of embryonic development, the total carbohydrate content decreases sharply while at the same time the protein content increases. Presumably the carbohydrate store is used to generate energy at this phase of development. Using monoclonal antibodies against an ecdysteroid-related antigen we showed that this antigen is mostly located in the beta-spheres. The asymmetrical distribution of the antigen in the egg (more concentrated near the posterior end) correlates with the same asymmetrical distribution of the beta-spheres in the mature follicle.

Animals↗

The prognosis in carcinoma of the prostate, judged on the basis of clinical classification into stages and histological grading.

On the basis of a retrospective study of 61 cases of carcinoma of the prostate, it is attempted to evaluate the prognosis, either by way of a clinical classification into stages or by histological grading. Both types showed a clear-cut correlation with the prognosis. Collation of the clinical classification into stages and the histological grading of the lesions in 33 patients showed that the two methods represented two unrelated types of classification.

Aged↗

The suspensory apparatus of the female bladder neck.

Lateral cystourethrograms have shown a forwards-downwards displacement of the bladder neck in bladder base insufficiency, a type of stress incontinence. In search for the structure which in normal subjects prevents this displacement, a series of 10 dissections of the female pelvic floor was undertaken. The formerly described structures: The pubo-vesical ligaments and the precervical arc are shown. As a new finding it is demonstrated how these structures are dependent on an upwards-backwards suspension by a strong ligament in the fascia over the levator muscle.

Cough↗

A comparative study between the values of lecithin, sphingomyelin, lysolecithin, the L/S index, and the Clements test in amniotic fluid.

The relationship between the concentration of several phospholipids in amniotic fluid and the ocurrence of neonatal RDS was established some years ago. However the methods used for the determination of those substances are sophisticated and time consuming. They require specalized equipment and take at least 2 or 3 hours. CLEMENTS described a semiquantitative method which overcomes these disadvantages. The present study compared the concentration of lecithin, shingomyelin, lysolecithin and the L/S ratio against the results obtained when processing the same samples with the CLEMENTS Test. the results are expressed in mg/100 ml. for the different phospholipids and the test was evaluated as positive, intermediate or negative. a statistically significant correlation has been found between the values of lecithin, lysolecithin and L/S ratio and the results of the CLEMENTS Test, respectively. No correlation could be found with sphingomyelin (Figs. 1-4). It is concluded that the CLEMENTS Test can be a useful tool as a screening test available to any obstetrical centre.

Amniotic Fluid↗

Computer-aided periodontal disease diagnosis using computer vision.

Periodontal diseases are the major cause of tooth loss. The study of the evolution of these diseases is crucial to achieve adequate planning and treatment. Depth probing is essential to know the periodontal disease stage. In this paper we present a new system for Computer-Aided Periodontal Disease Diagnosis using computer vision. The system automates the depth probing and incorporates a colour camera fitted together with a plastic probe that automatically and exactly obtains the depth probing measure. The system has been tested by several periodontists and with 125 teeth of different patients. The differences between the values taken by the system and two periodontists have not been significant.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗